PHS Soccer opens season 2-0-1

Posted 3/24/09

A big first half that included a hat trick by Gianluca Giarrizzo put the Panthers in a commanding position over Star Valley. His first goal came on a through ball over the defense from Drayson Bratt and his second came on a pass across the box from …

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PHS Soccer opens season 2-0-1

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{gallery}03_24_09/boyssoccer{/gallery} Levi Anderson (left) stops a Green River attack during the Panthers' 3-0 conquest of the Wolves in action at the Worland Jamboree. Courtesy photo / Greg WiseThe Powell Panthers started their soccer season off with a bang last weekend, taking two out of three in the Worland Jamboree.The two wins included a big 7-1 conquest of Star Valley in a full-length game and a 3-0 whitewash of Green River in a shortened game. In between, the Panthers battled Pinedale to a 1-1 tie.

A big first half that included a hat trick by Gianluca Giarrizzo put the Panthers in a commanding position over Star Valley. His first goal came on a through ball over the defense from Drayson Bratt and his second came on a pass across the box from Mitch Barker. Drayson Bratt contributed another goal with a sliding kick after tackling the ball away from an opponent, and the Panthers were never in trouble.

Following the tie with Pinedale, the Panthers scored another big win over 4A Green River. Bratt and Barker combined on a give-and-go following a lead pass from Levi Anderson, and Bratt again stretched out to put the ball in the goal to cap the scoring for the day.

PHS head coach Pat D'Alessandro singled out several players for their play during the day. Barker, Jordan Brown and Bratt were all effective as playmakers and Giarrizzo's speed and power played a key role as well. Galen Mills entered the Green River game and contributed several strong passes.

Defensively, D'Alessandro said, strong play by Jackson Miller, Monte Nickles, Tyler Stingley and Tyler Webber along with goal-keepers John Kissner and Sam Wise, allowed only two goals all day. Stingley and mid-fielder Reed Hackworh combined to disrupt opposing offenses before they could organize and the pair provided quick transition to the offense as well.

D'Alessandro said the experience of his seniors and juniors played a strong team game, and his team played with notable confidence for their first competition.

“The boys are exuding confidence we've not had in my three years,” D'Alessandro said.

That confidence enabled the Panthers to take advantage of the ability of defensive players Jackson and Nickles to “get a head on the ball” and move them to the attack on corner kicks. The move paid off Saturday with three scores on corner kicks, two by Nickles and one by Jackson.

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